Interview with the owner and founder of AyeAye Systems: Jamos Tan

My name is Jamos Tan, and I’m proud to be one of the founders of AyeAye Systems. I was born and raised in Hoorn and proudly carry my local background with me. Together with my co-founder Leonie, who I am also fortunate to be married to, we are part of the crew. In addition to our entrepreneurial adventure, we also share the beautiful journey of parenthood with our son.

I’ve always had many hobbies because I enjoy a wide range of things. I love engaging in sports whenever I have the time, as it helps me maintain a balance both physically and mentally.

Furthermore, I have a great interest in music. I enjoy listening to music and also love playing the piano and a bit of bass guitar myself.

I would like to say that I’m an experienced sailor, but that’s not entirely true. I’m more of a boat owner who takes good care of his boat and has a dream of doing a lot of sailing. I am more of a technician and an enthusiast of nature and water, appreciating the freedom it offers.

With great enthusiasm and a passion for technology, I have built a long-standing career in the IT industry. My love for technology actually originated in my childhood. I was always fascinated by understanding why things did or didn’t work, and often took them apart to see how they functioned.

Due to my grandfather and various family members with a maritime background, I’ve always had the desire to own a boat from a young age. This wish formed early on and lived within me for a long time.

At the age of 22, despite having no boating experience, I purchased a Piewiet 700 at a discounted price through a friend.

Boat equipment

For a long time, I didn’t feel comfortable on the boat. Over time, I began to explore the ship’s equipment, such as the VHF radio, all data connections, wind measurements, and made sure the GPS was properly connected. It was at that moment, after meeting my wife, that I realized a boat is actually filled with instruments, similar to the IT world. That’s when it clicked!

Afterward, we purchased a boat from the 1960s with traditional equipment. I decided to upgrade this boat with the knowledge I had gained, and thus, the first AyeAye® prototype was born!

I realized that it didn’t have to be so complex and expensive. I can say that this was the early beginning of an evolution in my mindset and approach.

My entrepreneurial journey so far can be described as a massive rollercoaster ride. It’s a constant mix of enriching experiences and learning moments. Entrepreneurship has made me stronger, but it’s also a significant investment that requires many sacrifices. The support and encouragement from the amazing people around me have been instrumental in this journey.

I strongly believe that more people should become entrepreneurs or already be entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs are driven and passionate. I am convinced that this is the only way to foster innovation that is agile in a world that desperately needs it, especially in the current times. It is often challenging to achieve real change and innovation within established companies.

So far, I have learned most from my mistakes and discovered how things should not be done, which has helped me better understand how they should be done. My entrepreneurial journey is still evolving, and I am determined to contribute to the changes that the maritime market, but more importantly, our world needs.

At AyeAye®, we have a busy schedule ahead in the coming months. First and foremost, we will continue working on the development of our product, alongside our dedicated team that makes it all possible. We strive to further enhance and refine the product so that we can enter the market this year.

In addition, we aim to raise awareness about the existence of AyeAye® among as many people as possible. We will actively engage in marketing and promotional activities to spread our message and bring our product to the forefront.

To achieve our goal, we also have plans to participate in significant events such as Sail Den Helder and Hiswa te Water. This will enable us to showcase our product to a broader audience and potential customers.

I’d like to share a message with the readers. The word “journey” holds significant meaning for us. It symbolizes the growth and progress we undergo as a startup, both personally and with our product. We understand that sailors and boat owners, just like us, are seeking solutions and possibilities during their own “journey.”

That’s why we want to share our story and our product with everyone interested. We are committed to making the AyeAye® boat system accessible to as many people as possible. That’s why we’ll go the extra mile to make it happen.